"Two Teachers" - April 17, 2011 (Palm Sunday) Sermon

Scripture: Isaiah 50:4-9a

The Sermon:
I remember seeing a list of “The Greatest Educator’s …ever.” Who do you suppose was at the top? No, it was not Jesus. First: Socrates second: Plato 3rd: Aristotle. Jesus came in 4th. I beg to differ.

Socrates is considered the “patron saint” of teaching, because his methods provide the basis for the model we still use today. He believed that in order to learn, you had to first acknowledge what you don’t know. He also believed that teachers could learn from their pupils… that good teaching is really the product of an open-minded learner. Socrates would ask questions to drawn knowledge out of learners by getting them to think, instead of ramming information into their minds through lecturing.

Jesus arrives a little over 400 years later and there are some parallels between Socrates and Jesus.

• Like Socrates, Jesus believed he was getting his message from “a greater source.”
• Like Socrates, Jesus was a master of teaching by asking questions.
• Like Socrates, Jesus did not leave behind his own writings, but his words and stories were recorded by others.
• Like Socrates, Jesus made those in power angry, by embarrassing them with his teachings.
• Like Socrates, Jesus was condemned to death by those same powerful people he made angry.

Yes, Jesus was a great ethical teacher, but his ultimate object lesson is revealed in His life, death and resurrection. His return to Jerusalem to "drink his cup of hemlock" was part of the lesson. Without the resurrection, the Gospel isn’t really GOOD NEWS, it is simply good advice.

So, what clues does the Isaiah text this morning give us about the teaching mission of Jesus? Our text describes the teacher as, "one with the tongue of a teacher." The servant has been commissioned to teach so he will “know how to sustain the weary with a word.”(vs. 4) Jesus knew how to sustain the weary with a word…do we? Jesus reached out to those who were constantly weary from simply trying to survive. His Word was one of hope and pointed to the coming kingdom of God, where everything would be set right and peace would reign.

Jesus was also a student: Everyday he would receive instruction, through prayer, from God. Instruction about his mission, his life and his death. This instruction would sustain him in times of difficulty and stress. He would receive strength from God’s spirit. His final teaching lesson would come only a few days after his entry into Jerusalem on that day we call Palm Sunday. The lesson of “obedience” as recorded in Matthew: Not my will but thy will be done.

Jesus did not try to escape from his mission

He did not hide his face from insult or spitting

He did not resist, but surrendered willingly

He set his face, like flint, towards God who would vindicate him.

In going to the cross, Jesus demonstrated the ultimate object lesson about God’s sacrificial love for humanity. His whole life had prepared him for this. He was a great student and a great teacher. We need to be great students, too… so we can grow into being great teachers.

As Jesus was sent by God, so he sends us.. As he was taught by God, so he teaches us. In Matthew 28, Jesus tells us, in essence, to go into the world and become teachers.

So who is the greatest teacher of all time? A very good case could be made for Socrates or Plato… as for me, I vote for Jesus! AMEN